This year’s edition of the Bengal Ladies’ Basketball Team is doing what is expected of them by coach Kamau Turner and the fans that follow them everywhere. Girls’ basketball in New Mexico has been growing in popularity, especially in the Four Corners area, where Gallup, Shiprock, Kirtland, Ramah and others within this geographic region have brought home the coveted Championship titles in almost all of the last 20-30 years. And the faithful fans follow the teams.

Dan Salzwedel, the former head of the NMAA, once remarked to this reporter that if he had a wish it would be that every state basketball tournament, boys and girls, be populated as much as possible by all high schools...

The Miyamura gymnasium was packed with fans from both sides on Feb. 2 as the Gallup and Miyamura boys’ basketball teams faced off.  The game started out close, with a low-scoring first quarter and solid defense on both sides.  In the second quarter, however, Gallup began to pull away, and Miyamura could never quite catch up.  Gallup’s quick transition play racked up points, while Miyamura took a more conservative approach and tried to run down the clock.  Both teams gave great performances, and the fans were thrilled by the show.  In the end, Gallup came out on top, 57-44.

Local teen teaching others the Mixed Martial Arts

 

Six wrestling teams faced off at Gallup High School on Jan. 27 for the Four Corners Tourney.  The meet was delayed several hours due to a bomb threat at the school, but police cleared the building after a thorough search did not turn up any explosives, and the wrestling commenced.

Competition was tough but friendly with Gallup, Grants, Miyamura, Shiprock, Kirtland, and Newcomb high schools all duking it out on the mat.

The tournament was round-robin style, so each team wrestled every other team, and there was no overall winner announced. It was a long event, almost seven hours in total, and each athlete got to wrestle at least five matches. Matches were short, but intense...